LeGarrette Blount talk will persist for the entire season. We’ll all make sure of that. However, for the Oregon Ducks, it’ll be their ability to put it behind them that may define the 2009 campaign.
Saturday, Purdue comes to town for the second of a two-game series. The Boilermakers, much like the Ducks against Boise, would love to avenge a home defeat from a year ago. For Oregon, it’s an opportunity to start anew and redefine not only the season’s promise, but the program’s newly minted reputation in the wake of their trip to Boise.
The first step was taken by Chip Kelly on Friday who swiftly punished Blount and removed him from the team for the season. It was a necessary move for the program, the university and blood-thirsty moralists everywhere.
If Oregon is to still make a run at the top of the conference, they’ll need to start with their play at the line of scrimmage. Oh, and everything else, too. Boise State was a debacle, plain and simple. I’m not convinced the problems are easily fixable, but I do know there are some talented players and dedicated coaches that are better than what they showed in the season opener.
On talent alone, Oregon should beat Purdue, but if the offense can’t establish a running game, make better decisions in the passing game and find better play-calling from its coaches, talent won’t matter. Defensively, improvement is needed, too. 3 and 7 to 3rd and 13 shouldn’t be so easy. Not being able to line up correctly is inexcusable. Tackling requires more than arms.
It’s almost like you scrap it and start all over. This is game 1. The goal doesn’t need to be changed, it just needs a shot of confidence. Regroup, work out the kinks (more like giant, complicated knots) and make that run for the roses.
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I am really unsure what to think. We have a coach is who is known as a great offensive strategist who can make adjustments to the game plan. We saw that all last year. This is a coach who can change the offensive game to take advantage of the smaller/faster running backs who take over from Blount. I also have to believe that Masoli will come out of his funk and regains his on-field prowess. The defense did OK in my book with BSU and the Purdue QB is not as good as Moore. The Ducks should win this game and regain their confidence.
But I am still worried. Maybe its because I am a career manager that I focus a lot on leadership. I did not see that from Chip Kelly on Thursday. He looked emotionless and lost on the sideline. Players take their cues from the head coach. Some articles I have read said that players were being disrespectful to CK during the game. If that is true, and if it doesn’t get fixed, the Ducks are in big trouble. Things could spiral out of control.
I watched the coaches of other games this weekend. Sarkisian was all over the sidelines and boosting his players. Ditto Riley. These guys were LEADING their teams. If CK stands on the sidelines gazing at his play chart then he should go back up to the booth. I am not convinced that Kelly should call the plays from the sidelines.
And will someone please tell Bellotti to stay the hell off the sidelines! That is the absolute worst place for him to be and it undermines Kelly. Mike, you’re an administrator now. Stay in the skybox.
Having expressed my worries I think the Ducks will come out of it. Kelly is smart and I think he makes the tactical changes and gets more engaged on the sidelines. I think the Ducks improve and beat Purdue with a strong game by Masoli.
If the Ducks can regain their confidence this can still be a special season.
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From my perspective, that was right on. We have a very intriguing season ahead of us
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agreed, kelly cant be head coach and call the plays at the same time
most likely, the players were upset about how the team was playing and took some of that out on the coach
but now it is time to focus on execution – not fight with each other
and kelly HAS to be able to pull masoli – he played aweful
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Completely agree. If Masoli is off again Kelly needs to put in Costa or Thomas. This is not a one man show. Having said that I do believe that Masoli comes alive this week. The Ducks should know now that they cannot win by simply walking onto the field.
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Darron Thomas baby!!
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